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An evening of lights and spectacular sights

9/19/08 FIREWORKS GAME ROCKIES VS DIAMONDBACKS

What a day. My face actually hurts from smiling so much. Hope it didn’t crack.

Today was only the second time this whole season that we were late for batting practice. Denver traffic on a Friday around 4pm can be hellish, and used took every short cut I knew, but we still arrived about fifteen minutes late.

We met Berned in the parking lot and we all headed in. This was our first fireworks game this year and I had no idea if people showed up early or waited till later on in the evening to arrive.

When we reached the Pavilion there was hardly anyone there at all.

Either the Rockies didn’t taking batting practice or they were finished by the time we had arrived.

The D-backs were on the field and we assumed our positions.

Hunter slid down to the railing in row two.

And me, I took my usual spot about half way up, not quite center field.

From a snaggers point of view, it’s fun to watch the D-backs.

They were hitting well and I was getting some serious “play” in the Pavilion.

Here’s my analogy of snagging.

Snagging to me is like going to a casino.

I don’t mind going home with nothing, as long as I get some “play”.

If your start your day at the Casino with a hundred bucks and you lose it in the first thirty minutes, that sucks.

But, if you get to play all day on the hundred bucks and then go home broke.

Then it was a day of entertainment.

Feel me??

Ok, so it has been a long while since I have caught a ball on the fly at BP.

Today, all of that would change.

About twenty minutes after we arrived at BP, I saw a ball launched and headed for me.

At first it looked like it was going over my head, but then it started to break. I ran back down about fifteen steps, reached as high as I could and poof.

Right into my glove.

My only goal for the last few games of the season was to catch one more ball on the fly.

Mission accomplished. Oh hell yea !

I didn’t even have time to revel in the moment. As soon as I put that ball in my pocket I saw another ball heading my general direction.

I was tracking this ball perfectly and moved quickly down about five stairs, put my glove up high, and snagged ball number two.

That was a first for me.

Two balls caught on the fly within seconds.

To make it even better, it was two balls hit from the same player during the same at bat.

I couldn’t tell you who the batter was. He was too far away to see.

But hey, mystery D-backs batter, thanks.

I really needed that.

Several times I looked over and saw Dan catch a ball in the fly. Looked like he was having a good day.

I asked Dan how he did after BP and he said he snagged five balls. I asked him if he had ever caught two in a row from the same player in one time at bat.

Congrats Dan..Will we see a blog from you next season?? Do it man…DO IT !

I know you hold some snaggin records.

Also, with out giving out details, Thanks Dan for getting the three us onto field for the show…D

After BP we went over behind the Rockies dugout to take some pictures and see if Hunter could maybe snag an autograph. While were were there Robert Harmon came up and said hi.

Robert and I have been talking recently about a little trade. Robert has been tossing around the idea of starting a blog. He also drives a VW bus. I have a VW bus and I’m a blogger.

So we may swap, he helps me work on the bus, I help him start a blog.

Sounds good to me.

(A shot of Robert and Ryan Spilborghs dad a few games back).

I think Robert would have a cool blog.

I bet he has some serious snaggin stories.

It would be interesteing to see and read about his baseball collection.

Here are a few random pictures I took.

First is Berned after BP. He said it was tough watching me chase baseballs and he felt he needed some ice cream He got Hunter one too..Thx..B Best haircut of the game.

Clint out socializing with the fans and signing autographs..He does that a lot. Ian Stewart doing some yoga. Kind of hard to reach “Zen” when your on display. Few players stretching.

Willy “Speedy” Taveras

Tulowitzki, Barmes and Atkins Hawpe and Stewart playing catch.

Me and B

A shot of the City

The Rockies had the lead the entire game.

Atkins got an RBI in the first inning to start things off. Then Chris Iannetta homered in the second to get his 18th of the year and put the Rockies up 2-0.

Bottom of the fourth with two out, Clint Barmes homered and and that put the Rockies up 3-0.

Nothing really exciting happened untill the ninth inning.

Brian Fuentes was pitching and let the D-Backs Mark Reynolds homer and then managed to load up the bases. With two out, Fuentes struck out Chris Young in an awesome finish to a perfect evening. Rockies beat the D-Backs 3-1.

Oh wait, this evening isn’t close to being finished yet.

After the game, all fans with seats in the Pavilion and Rock Pile were allowed onto the field to lay down and watch the fireworks display.

The way the Stadium is designed, the fans in those seats have their backs to the scoreboard (which is where they shoot off the fireworks).

Fans starting to fill up the playing field.

Here is a shot going through the tunnel to get onto the field. On the grass before the fireworks.

B chillin on the grass

The countdown to launch.

I had a serious rush of emotions as I lay on the grass inside Coors Field watching a spectacular fireworks show.

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1 Comment

nice entry
That is so cool you can go onto the field like that,, that is a no no at shea and yankee stadium,, if you go on the tour of yankee stadium, they let you on the warning track, but that is it,,, I have ran the bases at tropicana field, that was cool,,http://thet206kid.mlblogs.com/

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